{"id":27764,"date":"2022-05-06T13:23:39","date_gmt":"2022-05-06T18:23:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=27764"},"modified":"2022-05-06T13:23:39","modified_gmt":"2022-05-06T18:23:39","slug":"forest-brook-chapter-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2022\/05\/06\/forest-brook-chapter-7\/","title":{"rendered":"Forest Brook: Chapter 7"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caprice gasped at the sight of Dietrich\u2019s swollen black-and-blue muzzle when he showed up at Agatha\u2019s apartment in the morning. \u201cWhat happened to you?\u201d she cried.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOne of your father&#8217;s henchmen,\u201d Dietrich said grimly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI can&#8217;t believe he did that,\u201d Caprice said in dismay, falling into his embrace. \u201cDid you go to the hospital?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt\u2019s nothing serious,\u201d he assured her. \u201cI\u2019ve kept ice on it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBut here\u2019s an open cut and it\u2019s not dressed properly at all,\u201d Caprice fussed, taking a closer look. \u201cAgatha, we need supplies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cCheck the medicine cabinet in the powder room,\u201d Agatha\u2019s voice carried from her bedroom where she was getting her appearance in order.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caprice silently got to work with disinfectant, ointment, and gauze. \u201cI&#8217;m so sorry,\u201d she said at length, tears springing to her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt&#8217;s not your fault,\u201d Dietrich said tenderly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBut it\u2019s because of me that you\u2019re in my father\u2019s crosshairs!\u201d Caprice wailed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSoon we&#8217;ll be away from all this,\u201d he assured her. \u201cAnd I couldn&#8217;t ask for a more beautiful doctor. Most unicorns I know would just use magic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOh, you never know what can go wrong,\u201d Caprice said vehemently. \u201cThey\u2019re even talking about putting restrictions on the use of healing magic, you know. There are too many incidents of malpractice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThere\u2019s quite a lot that the equine mind can accomplish without magic,\u201d Dietrich said, agreeing with the sentiment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI\u2019ve always felt funny about using it.\u201d Caprice hesitated. \u201cMy family&#8230; there&#8217;s a ceremony of sorts to pass magic on to the next generation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYours, too?\u201d Dietrich asked, intrigued.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhat did you go through?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI sat through some absurd ceremony to pass the &#8216;magic of Atlantis&#8217; along to me,\u201d Dietrich said with derision.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAnd humans in dark hooded robes.\u201d Caprice shuddered. \u201cI had it conferred on me last month. It was just creepy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt&#8217;s not real,\u201d Dietrich said impatiently. \u201cThere&#8217;s inborn unicorn magic, but no such thing as an extra dose of Atlantean super powers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOur families are so caught up in these old fairy tales&#8211;they&#8217;re out of touch with reality,\u201d Caprice said sadly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYes, the games they play with that society are entirely too much, all over some silly hereditary magic,\u201d Dietrich said, his mouth set in a grim line.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt\u2019s strange that both our families are involved in the society,\u201d Caprice pondered, \u201cgiven their passionate dislike for each other.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cNothing about this feud makes sense,\u201d Dietrich said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cNo, I suppose not. I would be just as happy,\u201d Caprice began with a shy glance, \u201cif our children didn&#8217;t have to worry about it at all, not thinking about who was watching them from the shadows or wanting to use them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI\u2019ve heard that, with disuse, magical powers go away on their own.\u201d Dietrich\u2019s voice picked up speed as he went on excitedly: \u201cThink about it, we can be unicorns without magic. No more opportunity for manipulation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cMagic is only a stumbling block, and makes us targets,\u201d Caprice said softly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe give up a little teleporting and walk instead; earth ponies do it all the time,\u201d Dietrich continued. \u201cIt\u2019s not a huge sacrifice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHubert\u2019s here if you\u2019re ready to get going.\u201d Agatha poked her head in, interrupting the tete-a-tete. \u201cWe could teleport; the distance might zap your energy reserves, though.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe\u2019ll walk,\u201d Caprice cut in, smiling at Dietrich.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAs you wish,\u201d Agatha said, lifting her brow but not arguing the point.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOh, I just remembered, we were supposed to go out and get drunk last night, weren\u2019t we?\u201d Hubert exclaimed, walking up next to Agatha. \u201cSorry. My bad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat\u2019s fine,\u201d Caprice assured him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBetter to keep a clear head for today,\u201d agreed Dietrich.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBut traditions should not be tossed aside,\u201d Hubert argued, \u201cwithout first considering the purpose they serve in society and&#8211;\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cLet\u2019s get going, shall we?\u201d Agatha interjected, stomping lightly on Hubert\u2019s hoof.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">* * *<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAre you sure about this, Hubert?\u201d Dietrich looked skeptical as the group approached a little decrepit shack deep in the woods.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI&#8217;m as sure about Tiny as I am about the lost kingdom of Saliscarres!\u201d Hubert said staunchly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt&#8217;ll be fine, Dietrich,\u201d Caprice said, squeezing his hoof.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cTiny?\u201d Hubert called, knocking on the door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was opened by a shaggy Bigfoot, a good eight feet tall, covered in russet brown hair. He wore a fringed leather vest and tie-dye headband, and a pipe dangled from his lips.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHubert, welcome!\u201d he said, stretching his arms open wide. \u201cThe stars foretold a fortuitous meeting of friends.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWell met, sir!\u201d Hubert replied heartily. \u201cAnd I did, indeed, bring some friends.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAll are welcome; please, enter my humble abode.\u201d Tiny stepped aside to allow the ponies entry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They gathered around the circular table in the middle of the room. Tiny offered the pipe to Hubert, who shook his head. \u201cNot today,\u201d the stallion said hastily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhat kind of research have you been working on?\u201d Agatha asked, looking at him suspiciously.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tiny cleared his throat. \u201cWhat can I do for my equine brothers and sisters?\u201d he steered the conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe wondered if you might do us a favor and marry these two,\u201d Hubert said, getting straight to the point.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe universe unites us all in love,\u201d Tiny observed sagely, his glance flickering over the star-crossed lovers. \u201cBut if you wish to plight your troth to one another, I can oversee the process.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAre you sure your authority is legitimate?\u201d Dietrich asked, frowning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indignant, Tiny drew himself up to his full height. \u201cI am fully accredited,\u201d he stated, \u201cby the Ponyland Confederation of Non-Pony Clerics.\u201d He pointed to a framed certificate on the wall.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI guess it checks out,\u201d Dietrich grumbled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tiny opened a desk drawer and pulled out an old leather-bound book. \u201cFill this out, please,\u201d he said, extracting a piece of paper from inside the front cover. The couple filled out the form, and then the ceremony got under way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Dietrich and Caprice, have you come here to enter into Marriage without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?\u201d Tiny intoned. They answered in the affirmative, and he continued: \u201cAre you prepared, as you follow the path of Marriage, to love and honor each other for as long as you both shall live? Are you prepared to accept children lovingly from God?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe are,\u201d they said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tiny was about to go on with the exchange of vows, when Hubert interrupted: \u201cWait, you didn\u2019t ask for objections!\u201d he protested, stepping forward from his place at Dietrich\u2019s side.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat\u2019s more of a movie trope,\u201d Tiny explained. \u201cIt\u2019s rarely used in practice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat\u2019s a shame,\u201d said Hubert, disappointed. \u201cI think it adds a snappy dramatic element.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d Dietrich said impatiently. \u201cContinue.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI mean,\u201d Hubert spoke-up again, as Tiny was opening his mouth, \u201con the off-chance that there was a jealous ex-suitor that just happened to have delayed entry to the ceremony, it would give him an ideal opening to burst in here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHubert, shut up,\u201d snapped Agatha.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI\u2019m just saying!\u201d huffed Hubert.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just then, the door swung open and banged against the wall.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Framed in the doorway was a tan stallion entered. \u201cStop the wedding!\u201d he shouted. All eyes turned to him. He was trembling and out of breath, and in his hoof held a gun pointed at Dietrich.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou&#8217;re an idiot,\u201d Dietrich growled. It wasn\u2019t clear if he meant Hubert or Storen. \u201cYou don&#8217;t want to do this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHow did you find us?\u201d Caprice demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou were spotted entering the forest,\u201d said Storen, tremulous but putting on a brave front. \u201cI\u2019d heard rumors of a Bigfoot witchdoctor out by Falcon Rock, so I collected my firearm and came as quickly as I could. Mr. Monk will take me seriously when I return his wayward daughter to him!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cStoren, don\u2019t be a fool. I know what I\u2019m doing,\u201d Caprice said, stepping forward while Dietrich tried to hold her back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHe\u2019s one of them! He\u2019ll ruin you and&#8211; and&#8211;\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe\u2019re getting married and starting a life together. I have no regrets. You can tell Father.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cLet her go, you fiend!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI\u2019m not holding her. She\u2019s here of her own accord.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cCaprice, your father only wants the best for you, as do I&#8211;\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOh, can it, Storen,\u201d said Caprice impatiently. \u201cYou only care about advancing your own interests, and \u2018rescuing\u2019 me would put you in a sweet spot with the CEO.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cNonsense! This is for you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While talking was going on, Hubert had slunk around to the side of Storen and stood poised to disarm him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But Storen noticed in the nick of time and turned the gun on Hubert. \u201cNo closer! I know what I have to do!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But the ponies hadn\u2019t even noticed the Bigfoot leave his position and slip into the shadows. As Storen turned on Hubert, Tiny was ready and stabbed a syringe into Storen\u2019s foreleg. The stallion\u2019s eyes rolled back and he crumpled to the ground for the second time in less than a day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe benefit of sleep will offer great peace and insight,\u201d Tiny observed wisely. \u201cWell, then, where were we?\u201d he asked cheerfully, dropping Storen on a cot in the corner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI believe it\u2019s time to exchange vows,\u201d said Caprice, eyes shining bright.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAh-hem, yes, let\u2019s see\u2026\u201d Tiny found his place in the book. \u201cDietrich, do you take Caprice to be your wife? Do you promise to be faithful to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and to honor her all the days of your life?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI do,\u201d said Dietrich, and Caprice shortly echoed the sentiment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI now present Mr. and Mrs. Dietrich Fairfax,\u201d stated Tiny with a flourish. \u201cNow, if the witnesses would come forward and sign this certificate\u2026\u201d He looked at Hubert and Agatha.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt does look good seeing our signatures together like this, Agatha,\u201d Hubert commented. \u201cI just had an idea&#8211;why don\u2019t WE get married?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> your proposal speech?\u201d Agatha asked, flummoxed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with it?\u201d the prospective groom asked, puzzled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWell, you\u2019ve had a number of years to come up with something a little more elaborate,\u201d said Agatha, frowning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHow about\u2026\u201d Hubert shuffled around on his hooves. \u201cAgatha, you\u2019ve always been there for me, and I can\u2019t imagine life without you. Will you marry me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHubert, you are absolutely insufferable with your history lessons and conspiracy theories and hare-brained expeditions. And I\u2019m crazy about you. Of course I\u2019ll marry you,\u201d Agatha announced, embracing him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hubert looked at Tiny expectantly. The Bigfoot shrugged. \u201cMay as well get it out of the way,\u201d the stallion said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cVery expedient,\u201d Agatha said, looking admiringly at her soon-to-be husband.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cDietrich, Caprice, might you halt your departure long enough to witness our vows?\u201d Hubert asked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cCertainly. We\u2019d love to,\u201d Caprice said, smiling warmly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI\u2019m not sure we have the time,\u201d Dietrich said, peering out the window suspiciously, as if afraid of further interruptions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOf course we do,\u201d Caprice shot him down, and the ceremony was performed forthwith.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Afterwards, Caprice hugged Hubert and Agatha as they stood outside on the stoop of the shack, both couples poised to go their separate directions. \u201cI will write to you,\u201d she promised.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe\u2019ll get together the next time we\u2019re in New Pony,\u201d Agatha agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">* * *<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cStoren, you idiot!\u201d shouted Cecil during an audience later that day. \u201cYou threatened Dietrich Fairfax with a gun!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI was trying to rescue Caprice!\u201d Storen whined.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou should have gotten the police, you nitwit!\u201d Cecil snapped. \u201cThey would have put a stop to all of this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI thought we could take care of it in-house, so to speak. I know you like discretion,\u201d Storen pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cDiscretion!\u201d Cecil laughed bitterly. \u201cThere is nothing <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">discrete<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> about a gun! What if you had actually taken a shot? I wash my hooves of you! The scandal of that alone would have ruined her just as much as her carrying on with this Fairfax.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt was for Caprice!\u201d Storen pleaded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cShut up!\u201d Cecil thundered, sending the other stallion packing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">* * *<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As twilight was descending, Dietrich and Caprice got off at a little bump in the road community that boasted a sketchy-looking motel and not much else.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As Dietrich fumbled with the key card to their suite, a dark figure emerged from the shadows. \u201cCongratulations on your union,\u201d the human said in a low voice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caprice instinctively huddled closer to her husband.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWho sent you?\u201d asked Dietrich harshly, putting a foreleg around Caprice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI intend no harm,\u201d the figure said, raising his hand in a peaceful gesture. \u201cRegardless of the attitudes of your parents, the Krulotin are pleased by your union.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou have no power over us!\u201d Dietrich snapped.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe understand that you feel\u2026 misused,\u201d the figure explained. \u201cBut you must remember, this isn&#8217;t about you&#8211;it&#8217;s about the welfare of the world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat&#8217;s ridiculous!\u201d Caprice sputtered. \u201cWe\u2019re ponies, the same as everyone else, and should be allowed to live as such.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe will not be party to your games any more,\u201d Dietrich added. \u201cWe are cutting off magic from our lives from this day forward.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThis is a grave mistake,\u201d the figure warned. \u201cYou don&#8217;t understand what you&#8217;re doing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIf we have the great power you say we do,\u201d Dietrich challenged, \u201cisn&#8217;t it better to let it fade away, and not be a temptation?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou risk putting the world in peril if you continue on this bend,\u201d he said, shaking his head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe don&#8217;t believe your conspiracy theories!\u201d Caprice said shrilly. \u201cYou may have hoodwinked our parents, but we think for ourselves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThere will be no further contact, do you understand?\u201d Dietrich said harshly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt is our sworn duty to protect you,\u201d the figure said. \u201cWe will always be there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIf you come near us, I&#8217;ll&#8211;\u201d Dietrich formed a fist with his hoof (which is totally a thing ponies can do).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c&#8211;call the police,\u201d Caprice interjected. \u201cWe&#8217;ll get a restraining order.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThis is most irregular,\u201d he said, shaking his head vigorously and taking a step back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAway with you!\u201d Dietrich shouted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou don&#8217;t know what you&#8217;re doing,\u201d the man reiterated grimly. \u201cThe Krulotin will never be far if ever you need us. We have not given up on you, even if you have given up on us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThis discussion is over!\u201d Dietrich hissed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAs you wish.\u201d Bowing respectfully, the figure disappeared back into the shadows from whence he came.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOur families aren&#8217;t so different after all,\u201d Caprice said sadly as they entered their room. \u201cThey both fell under the power of those lunatics.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe&#8217;re going to do better with our family,\u201d Dietrich pledged, scooping her up in his forelegs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking in the peeling wallpaper, grimy coffee maker, and garishly colored comforter, Dietrich felt doubt for the first time. \u201cCaprice, you deserve better than this,\u201d he said, sighing remorsefully. \u201cSilken sheets, champagne, rose petals.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThose are just <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">things<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that pale in comparison to the reality of you,\u201d said the bride, entwining her forelegs around his neck.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou don\u2019t know what game you\u2019re playing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThen show me,\u201d she said with a piquant look.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">* * *<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThis was a perfect wedding,\u201d Agatha sighed blissfully when they were back at her apartment. \u201cBig shows are so ostentatious.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI thought big shows were your business,\u201d Hubert observed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cMy business, but not my life,\u201d she corrected him. \u201cThis is special. It&#8217;s for <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">us<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u201d Her voice became huskier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cEr&#8211;um&#8211;Agatha.\u201d Hubert swallowed nervously. \u201cYou know, the natives of Drastein have an intriguing marriage tradition wherein&#8211;\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHubert, shut up and kiss me,\u201d Agatha ordered.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Caprice gasped at the sight of Dietrich\u2019s swollen black-and-blue muzzle when he showed up at Agatha\u2019s apartment in the morning. \u201cWhat happened to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27752,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1071],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27764","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27764"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27764\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27765,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27764\/revisions\/27765"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27764"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27764"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27764"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}